Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (Iron Fey Book 3)

The Iron Queen is the third book in the Iron Fey series and it follows Meghan and Ash into their exile in the human world.  They think that they will never see the Nevernever again and that their time of having to deal with the Fey and thier crazy rules is over.  But is it?  When the courts are at war with the Iron Fey to save their world, feuds and punishments are the least of their worries. 

The cover of this book is right in line with the others- beautiful.  I loved the interaction between Ash and Meghan in this book because it felt like Ash was finally being real.  He was showing Meghan who he really was in this book, more so than in the other two.  We see Ash as a master swordsman who is willing to beat the snot out of the girl he loves to be sure that she is learning to fight and defend herself.  He loves her enough to deal with Puck more than he'd like to and he helps Meghan free her human father.  Ash is just awesome in this book.  Puck is always great but there was a moment where I kinda wanted to kick him.  *Spoiler Alert- next two paragraphs!!*  Just before the first battle, he tumbles into Meghan looking like he was off fooling around with a bunch of fairy girls.  If he really loved Meghan like he claimed to, would that be happening?  I think not.  If he really loved her, he would have been more worried for her in the face of this battle.  He would have been pining for her- not running around with fairy girls.  Bad Puck!! 

I also loved getting to see Meghan really come into her own in a way.  She learns a great deal about glamour and how to work her magic.  The ending is TRAGIC though.  But I trust that Ash will find a way to be with the girl he loves.  He'll always be her knight and he won't stop until he's serving at her side.  I highly recommend these books!! If you haven't read them- give them a try.  The fairy world that Julie has created is wonderful and unique.  These books are great for older teens and while there is nothing too graphic in this book- sex is alluded to. 

Iron Queen earns 5 Fairies for a great book with Ash being sweet and honorable.

The next book in the series, Iron Knight, will follow Ash (and Puck, I would guess) on his epic journey back to his queen.  The book is expected to come out in November but so far no date has been set nor has the cover been released.  I know I am waiting not so patiently for this book!! Team Ash!!



Julie Kagawa's Ash Drawing she gave away on her Iron Queen Blog Tour.